Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Folk and country dancing group. Do you love dancing, but have never been Folk Dancing before? We are a warm and friendly group and always welcome new members, whether a beginner or experienced.  You don’t need a partner. We swap partners each dance. That way we get to know each other and it’s a great way to make new friends. Back to Groups Page Folk and country dancing Venue : Ridgeway Community Centre, Blackdown Close, RG22 5BN Click here for website Date : Every Friday Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Do you love dancing, but have never been Folk Dancing before? We are a warm and friendly group and always welcome new members, whether a beginner or experienced. You don’t need a partner. We swap partners each dance. That way we get to know each other and it’s a great way to make new friends. We practise the dances before dancing to the music and are reminded of the steps throughout by our team of callers. Why not try a taster session and have fun one Friday morning?

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Local and social history group. We are a friendly group, who are interested in the local history of Basingstoke and Deane and the surrounding area plus topics and discussions, based on how our lives have changed. We visit local history sites, generally in the better weather, and enjoy presentations by our members and discussions indoors when the weather is not so good. You would be welcome to join us. Back to Groups Page Local and social history Venue: Shaftesbury Room, Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT Click here for website Date: 2nd Thursday of the month Time: 14.00 to 16.00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings We are a friendly group, who are interested in social history, and the local history of Basingstoke and the surrounding area. We have discussions about how our lives have changed, and topics covering a range of local history topics. We have indoor meetings usually from October to May, and outdoor trips usually from June to September. Members of the group are encouraged (either on their own or in pairs) to give talks or arrange visits to local places of interest. Examples of meetings include the following: Winchester Cathedral, Echoes of Basingstoke - memories in our lifetime, Nostalgia, Jane Austen, Delivering essential services to Kempshott, Harold Gillies & Park Prewett Hospital, Local history walks.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Patchwork and quilting group. The group is a mixture of beginners and more experienced quilters. There are demonstrations and projects usually on the 4th Wednesday, and we bring our own work to do at the other meeting. Back to Groups Page Patchwork and quilting Venue : Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT Click here for website Date : 2nd and 4th Wednesdays Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings The group is a mixture of beginners and more experienced quilters. There are demonstrations and projects usually on the 4th Wednesday, and we bring our own work to do at the other meeting.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Cycling group. The cycling group enjoys social rides at a relatively easy pace, with a break for refreshments and chat. The group normally rides twice a week on different weekdays throughout the year. The routes generally follow quiet roads, cycle paths and occasional trails. To give a variety of ride routes, we take the train or drive to some starting points. The group always waits for stragglers so that no-one is left behind. We usually have two or more longer multi-day trips each year - the most recent tours have been to the Ardennes, Brittany, WW1 battlefields, Somerset and the Black Forest. Back to Groups Page Cycling Meetings are as advertised Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings The cycling group enjoys social rides at a relatively easy pace, with a break for refreshments and chat. The group normally rides twice a week on different weekdays throughout the year. The routes generally follow quiet roads, cycle paths and occasional trails. To give a variety of ride routes, we take the train or drive to some starting points. The group always waits for stragglers so that no-one is left behind. We usually have two or more longer multi-day trips each year - the most recent tours have been to the Ardennes, Brittany, WW1 battlefields, Somerset and the Black Forest. Further information and the group rules are on our website - https://basu3acycling.co.uk

A social organisation for anyone in or around Basingstoke who has retired, is semi-retired or has never worked and who would like to make new friends with similar interests in the local area. The U3A motto is Learn, Laugh, Live. Queen Mary's College maps and directions Queen Mary's College is towards the bottom of Cliddesden Road. Turn left into the College site (first entrance), veer towards the right at the bend and follow the road a short way before turning left at the Visitors’ Car Park sign. There is a barrier leading into the Visitor Car Park. Drive slowly towards it and the barrier will open automatically.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a History group. We have talks and then discussion on historical topics and events. Back to Groups Page History Venue : Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT Click here for website Date : 1st Wednesday of the month Time : 13:30 - 15:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings We have talks and then discussion on historical topics and events. In 2024/25 we had talks on: The Templars The Cheapside Hoard Historical Railway Accidents Basing House Preparing to meet Mr Hitler IT in 1938 Saving the Nation's Art The Dukes of Norfolk History of Jewellery Dr Gillies at War History of the London Underground History of Booze

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Health and wellbeing group. The objective of the group is to bring informative presentations from either healthcare professionals or charity groups to help us proactively manage our health. Back to Groups Page Health and wellbeing Venue : Popley Fields Community Centre , Carpenters Down, Basingstoke RG24 9AE Click here for website Date : 2nd Thursday of the month Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings The group meets on the second Thursday of every month, from 10am till noon, at Popley Fields Community Centre. The objective of the group is to bring informative presentations from either healthcare professionals or charity groups to help us proactively manage our health. The group does not give members the opportunity to discuss their personal issues, as this is best dealt with by a GP. One of the key philosophies of this group is that we keep our members safe and provide the right information for this open environment. Tea and coffee will be available and you will have time to interact with other members. If you want to see more about specific self-help available in the Basingstoke area, such as self referral for MSK, look at: Self Help The site says it is for the Camerose, Gillies, Hackwood, Beggarwood practice but it is relevant to all. Our confirmed speakers are: 12th November - Counterfeit medicines - how to protect yourself and family - Michael Hui December - Provisionally: Osteoporosis with Professor Nicholas Harvey 14th January 2027 - Parkinson's Disease - Leigh‑Beth Stroud - Parkinson's UK 11th February - How to look after your back - Ian Harrison, Osteopath 11th March - Skin issues in later life with Peter Cureton 8th April - Emotional Intelligence 13th May - First Aid - Ken Taylor, St John Ambulance If you are interested and have not already registered for the group, please use Beacon to do so or contact Elaine Budd on Elainesecu3abasingstoke@outlook.com Subjects already covered: Oral Health - Jodie Perrett, Bupa Dental Practice, Old Basing Hearing - Fiona Barker - Audiologist Gut Health - Lily Samuels - Nutritionist Alzheimer's - Georgi Welch - Alzheimer's research UK Diabetes - David Murray - Diabetes UK Lyme Disease - James Herbert Driving Safety for Older People - Rob Heard MBE Arthritis - Jo Cummins Sleeping - Dr Lindsay Browning Cancer support available for you, family and friends - Helen Maskell - The Ark Charity and Falls Prevention Strokes - Ian Sweetingham - Stoke Association Heart health - Dr Charlotte Hutchins then CPR and defibrillator demonstration and practice with St John's Ambulance Bowel Cancer - Michael Trotman from Bowel Cancer UK How to develop a healthy mindset and eating habits to support your health. Mindset, hunger habits and sugar cravings – why you need to focus on HOW and WHY you eat, before focusing on WHAT and HOW MUCH. - Kate Boys Looking after your foot health. Pete, Eclipse Foot Clinic Future subjects being looked into are: Frailty and balance, foot health, herbal remedies, parkinsons and carers. So as long as we have enough people, we will be running for a long time :) Subjects already covered: Oral Health - Jodie Perrett, Bupa Dental Practice, Old Basing Hearing - Fiona Barker - Audiologist Gut Health - Lily Samuels - Nutritionist Alzheimer's - Georgi Welch - Alzheimer's research UK Diabetes - David Murray - Diabetes UK Lyme Disease - James Herbert Driving Safety for Older People - Rob Heard MBE Arthritis - Jo Cummins Sleeping - Dr Lindsay Browning Cancer support available for you, family and friends - Helen Maskell - The Ark Charity and Falls Prevention Strokes - Ian Sweetingham - Stoke Association Heart health - Dr Charlotte Hutchins then CPR and defibrillator demonstration and practice with St John's Ambulance Bowel Cancer - Michael Trotman from Bowel Cancer UK How to develop a healthy mindset and eating habits to support your health. Mindset, hunger habits and sugar cravings – why you need to focus on HOW and WHY you eat, before focusing on WHAT and HOW MUCH. - Kate Boys Looking after your foot health. Pete, Eclipse Foot Clinic Future subjects being looked into are: Frailty and balance, foot health, herbal remedies, parkinsons and carers. So as long as we have enough people, we will be running for a long time :)

Joining our u3a The Membership Fee for the year from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2027 is £50 for individual membership and £100 for joint membership. Once you have enrolled, most of our Groups are free, with the exception of a few where there is a small additional charge, or where the Groups involve excursions or meals. Our joining and payment of fees is done through an online process. This is fully automated and is simple and straightforward. Step 1 Acknowledge our Member Code of Conduct . By applying for membership to the Basingstoke – Old Basing u3a you agree to: know, follow and promote the principles of the u3a movement at every opportunity. always act in the best interests of Basingstoke – Old Basing u3a and the u3a movement, strive to uphold its reputation and never do anything which could bring our, or any another u3a, or the u3a movement, into disrepute or expose it to undue risk. use Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a’s resources responsibly and only to further our u3a’s charitable Object as set out in our Constitution. abide by Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a procedures, practices and policies, regardless of whether these conflict with your personal views. treat each other with dignity and respect at all times. PRIVACY STATEMENT Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a processes member information so that we can keep you informed about events, groups and activities as part of your membership. Our u3a’s lawful basis for collecting this information is legitimate interest/contract. In processing your information we will: store it securely and in line with GDPR use it to communicate with you as a u3a member share your information with group leaders/convenors of those groups that you join. Full details of all our Policy Documents can be found on the Policies page . Step 2 Please open the Online Joining manual here . It will give you detailed instructions and take you step by step through the process. Please note: Fees shown in the Online Joining Manual are for example purposes only as the Membership Fee usually changes each year. Step 3 Click on the " Join our u3a" icon to the right. Follow the procedure to enter your details and pay the membership fee . At the end of the process you will receive an email with a link to the “Welcome to our u3a” page on this website where you will be able to view the Welcome Pack. We look forward to welcoming you to the Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a. Please note If you are having difficulties with the online joining process or have membership enquiries, please contact our Membership Secretary using membership2@basingstokeu3a.org .

Frequently Asked Questions This page has the answers to some questions which are often asked by new members What is u3a and who can join? The u3a is a UK-wide movement of locally run interest groups that provides educational, creative, and leisure opportunities for older adults no longer in full-time employment Who runs the local u3a? Although it has a committee, it is entirely member-led, meaning members share their skills and teach each other. Are there other volunteer opportunities? Yes, there are volunteer opportunities. Please submit an enquiry for through the website to register your interest or Enquiries@Basingstokeu3a.org What is the national "Third Age Trust"? The National u3a is a UK-wide, cooperative network of local charities where retired or semi-retired people come together to learn for fun. Entirely volunteer-run, it focuses on peer-to-peer teaching, social connection, and lifelong learning without exams or formal qualifications Where and when do monthly meetings take place? Monthly meetings happen once a month on a Wednessday. Please see the U3a News Edit for more information. Who is the safeguarding contact and what should I contact them about? If you are concerned about the welfare/safeguard of a member, your first action is to discuss this with the group leader. If it is an emergency contact 999. If not, the group leader will review and contact the committee lead for safeguarding. I am not a member, can I try a group out before I officially join? It is possible to attend a group as a taster session. Please contact the Group Facilitator groups@basingstokeu3a.org who will inform the Group Leader and they will arrange for you to visit the group. What happens if I want to join a group but it is full? Please still apply to join the group and the Group Leader will add you to the waiting list and keep you informed on progress. I have written to a group leader for information but have not received a response, who can I talk to? Contact the Group Facilitator on groups@basingstokeu3a.org If I want to join a group, can I just turn up? u3a members can join many groups directly from the member's portal, otherwise members should contact the group leader (details via the member's portal) to arrange a taster session. Non-members of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a should contact the Group Facilitator groups@basingstokeu3a.org who will inform the Group Leader and they will arrange for you to visit the group. What should I do if I have an accident during a u3a group session? The Group Leader will deal with the situation and complete an Incident form which we keep centrally. If necessary, the Group Leader will inform your emergency contact. e.g. if you are taken to hospital. Can I start a new group if my hobby isn’t listed? If you are interested in starting a group please contact NewGroups@basingstokeu3a.org We would be delighted to to discuss the process and find out whoelse would be interested in joining. How much does joining the u3a cost? £50 per annum from 1 September to 31 August Is there an alternative to PayPal to pay my membership? Yes, you can pay be debit or credit card. Detailed instructions are available from the Membership Secretary by emailing 'membership2@basingstokeu3a.org ' I have mobility issues or use a wheelchair—can I still join? We welcome everybody and try to ensure the facilities we use are accessible. However, sometimes this is not possible so when you join, please go to the group you are interested in on the members portal and contact the group leader to check. If you want to know in advance of joining, please send an enquiry to Enquiries@Basingstokeu3a.org Are there any extra costs after I pay the annual fee? Most of our Groups are free with the exception of a few groups where there is a nominal weekly charge, or where the Groups involve trips or meals Is there a limit to how many groups I can join? There is no limit to the number of groups you can join If I join halfway through the year, do I still pay the full fee? No, you will pay a half-year fee of £30 Does my membership allow me to visit other u3as? Sorry, no, each u3a group is independent of the others I am a member of another u3a, can I come to your groups without additional cost? Sorry, no, you would need to join our group as a new member I am thinking of joining the u3a and want to check if there is space in a specific group and get more information, who can I talk to ? If you want to check availability in advance of joining, please contact Enquiries@Basingstokeu3a.org I am having trouble joining the u3a, who can I contact? You can contact the Membership Secetary by emailing 'membership2@basingstokeu3a.org ' How will I find out what is happening each month? Visit the u3a Basingstoke Web Site, www.basingstokeu3a.org . There are multiple charts under the group section showing the groups, by day, by month, by alphabetical order and geography. The website also contains information on our monthly meetings. Read the News Edit, which is mailed to you each month for updates on the monthly meeting, information on new groups that are starting that month, and articles from the Group Leaders.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Canasta group. Would you enjoy a group, playing the card game Canasta? This is a new group and we are looking for members who can already play. The group will not be suitable for absolute beginners. The object is to play the game in a light-hearted informal manner with like-minded people. Back to Groups Page Canasta Venue: Shaftesbury Room, Christ Church , Chineham Date: 1st and 3rd Monday of the month 2pm to 4.30pm Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Would you enjoy a group, playing the card game Canasta? This is a new group and we are looking for members who can already play. The group will not be suitable for absolute beginners. The object is to play the game in a light-hearted informal manner with like-minded people. Please note that we will provisionally meet alongside the Mahjong group at Chineham, but at some point, we might need to find another venue/meeting time.

Discover the u3a in Basingstoke, UK. Learn who can join, how it works, and explore the vibrant community of UK u3as. Background What is the Third Age Trust? The Third Age Trust is the national representative body for the u3a movement in the UK, providing a wide range of support services to existing u3as. In addition it helps to develop new u3as and to raise the profile and increase awareness of the movement throughout the UK. What is the Third Age? The Third Age can be a time of creative activity and fulfilment — free from the restrictions and responsibilities of the Second Age of full-time employment. Around one in five of the U.K. population is in the Third Age. What is u3a? u3a is a learning cooperative of older people which enables members to share many educational, creative and leisure activities. Who can join? No qualifications are required. Anyone who shares our principles of self-help learning can join. We believe that everyone in the Third Age has something to contribute and much to receive. How does it work? Each u3a draws upon the knowledge, experience and skills of its members to organise local study and activity groups. Throughout the country, u3as offer hundreds of subjects in diverse fields including art, languages, music, history, science, literature, poetry, theatre-going, philosophy, crafts, garden visits, archaeology, bridge and computing. The choice of subjects depends only on the members’ wishes and the availability of volunteers with enough expertise and/or enthusiasm to act as Group Leaders. There are NO exams (phew!) and participation in any group is open to all. Origins The seeds for Lifelong Learning for Older People were sown at the Summer School of the Université du Troisième Age held in Toulouse in 1972. This led within a year to the formation of the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (AIUTA). The movement soon became worldwide. In the UK, the u3a movement started with the creation of the Third Age Trust in 1982 as a registered charity and limited company. UK u3as In the UK it was decided during early discussions to adopt an approach that was independent of the universities. It was realised that Third Agers themselves had the skills to organise and teach in their own autonomous learning groups, the local u3as. The principle was to be "we teach one another", not "they teach us". In continental Europe and America, development has been more dependent on the universities. There are now more than 1,000 u3as throughout the United Kingdom with a total membership exceeding 400,000. Each u3a develops its own character in response to local needs and resources. To learn more about the Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a specifically, please click here .

Set out below are a few links to sites that may be of interest to members and visitors. National u3a Website u3a Summer Schools u3a Radio Podcast National u3a Friends Newsletter Interest Groups Online National u3a Learning World u3a Charity Commission Entry